Author's note:

Meant to upload this sooner but a lot of stuff went on in my personal life that I'm still dealing with. Anyway, enjoy.

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Chapter 1


Scaramouche knew what he was getting himself into when he took the Gnosis, but he wasn't expecting what would happen when he dared attempt to use it. He knew that Ei couldn't use the Gnosis after she turned herself into a doll, but given that Scaramouche was born this way, he thought it might work differently.

As far as anyone else knew, he disappeared after having checked into the hotel on the edge of Inazuma's capital city. He couldn't be found anywhere in Inazuma but didn't return to any Fatui stronghold either.

He pressed the Gnosis hard against his chest, but didn't feel the "give" of his body accepting it. This angered him, but he persisted until he felt he'd bruised his own chest trying. In frustration, he threw his arm up and prepared to throw the Gnosis. He opened his eyes, wanting to watch it clatter to the ground, only to realize he was no longer where he had been before. He stood on perfect white marble, a circular platform with seven intimidating pillars holding up the roof. Beyond this, there was a beautiful garden, perfectly manicured, and at the edges of the property was only clouds that seemed to drop off into nothingness.

There was an Inazuman tea table set up in the middle of the path. A woman, faced away from him, was kneeling on a floor-pillow there.

"Join me, won't you?" she spoke softly.

He lowered his hand, still holding the gnosis tightly. Her voice sounded his creator's, but somehow he knew she wasn't Ei. After a bit of hesitation he walked around the side of the table to sit across from her.

She was beautiful. Like Ei, but with a certain peacefulness in her eyes unlike Ei or the shogun puppet had ever known.

"I suppose this makes me your auntie?" she asked playfully, "tea?"

Scaramouche mumbled a yes, staring at her. Studying her. He was told that Makoto and Ei were twins, but the truth was, he saw how different they were. She poured a cup of tea for him, which he stared at as though to bore a hole in the cup.

"Did I just die?" he asked.

Makoto giggled, "silly boy. No, you're not dead. You can't die, to my knowledge, and I don't intend to test that any time soon."

"Where are we?" he asked.

"Celestia, of course."

"Why am I here?" he grumbled, frustration rising again. It seemed this was some kind of cosmic prank, and he wanted no part of it. He scowled.

"I'm sorry, perhaps I should cut to the chase. You really do take after Ei." Makoto sighed and shook her head, "always wanting things to be spelled out quickly… anyway, you're here because it's my duty to tell you what to do with the gnosis. The others didn't think anyone else could convince you."

"What to do with it?" he mumbled, looking down at the white-knuckles grip he had on it.

"I'm sure you've already figured out its not meant for you," Makoto spoke softly, trying to soothe his anger, "the person it's meant for, they cannot obtain it for themselves. You are meant to deliver it to them."

Scaramouche sighed, "fine, whatever. Who are they?"

"I can't tell you much, but not because of not wanting to tell you. I do not know who they are, only where to find them."

"I guess I have no choice in this?" he grumbled.

"Unfortunately, the will of Celestia does sometimes come first. You do have a choice. You could leave the gnosis here, and leave Teyvat without one of the Seven, or you could do as I request."

"I don't want to be responsible for causing this kind of trouble. Ei did enough. Is the reason for no new electro visions because of her?"

"Yes. She killed the one meant to succeed her as archon," Makoto explained, "upon their death, Celestia's connection to electro energy waned. You can restore this balance."

"Tell me what I need to know, I guess."

"North of the Narukami Shrine, put your back to the sea. You'll find a blank Vision and a sword used as a gravestone, leave the gnosis there."

"I understand what Celestia requires of me." Scaramouche grumbled, "but what do I get out of this? Seems inconvenient."

Makoto giggled softly, "fret not, little nephew. Celestia does intend to repay you for your efforts, in due time. You'll know when said time has arrived. I do hope to see you again, but not any time soon. Take care of yourself, okay?"

Scaramouche wasn't used to people worrying over him. He awkwardly nodded, unsure how to respond.

After a few moments of silence, he felt a cold rush of air and shut his eyes tight, and opened them after to determine he had been returned to the hotel room he'd been in before. The gnosis still in his hand.

He knew that the Tsaritsa would not be happy if he simply gave away the gnosis. This meant that, upon doing so, he couldn't return to the Fatui. Though his early memories of being among them were not memories he wanted to relive, he had made a life for himself. It was frustrating to let go of his hard work.

He wandered the northern coast, looking not unlike any ronin or vagabonds like the sort that appeared randomly. He wasn't sure exactly how much time had passed, at least a few days, but he finally found, nestled in a crevasse near the base of the mountain, a sword used as a gravestone and a blank vision in the dirt. He stood before the grave for a while, rubbing his thumb across the side of the gnosis idly.

"Somehow, I don't think you're going to appreciate this." he smirked a little, taking amusement in the idea of disturbing someone's final slumber, and set the gnosis next to the blank vision.

Fatui activity in the area made Scaramouche too paranoid to stick around and see exactly how this revival would work. So he made himself scarce, planning to leave Inazuma in secret to go wandering like he had been before the Fatui took him in.

That night, a great thunderstorm hit the island. The Narukami shrine was protected thanks to the Sacred Sakura's branches, but the areas around the shrine, especially to the north, were violently hit. Travellers who had come to worship at the shrine during the evening were forced to stay overnight in the shrine's grounds for safety. Of course, the generous and beloved Yae Miko made sure any unexpected guests were kept as comfortable as possible. Her confidence and kindness assured them that the morning would be peaceful. But as her violet eyes watched the lightning strike, she looked on with concern. Though the other priestesses noticed, they debated in whispers whether or not to ask Yae what was wrong.

Gendou Ringo had grown bored of the debate quickly, and told the other priestesses to either mind their business or just ask already. They decided to drop the subject. Yae gently shooed all the priestesses off to bed, saying that their chatter might disrupt the guests.

As soon as the door to the priestess' sleeping quarters closed, Yae turned to the tori gates at the entrance and smiled gently.

"I had wondered if you'd make it here tonight, or if I'd have to send someone to help you find your way." she teased.

The man standing under the archway was leaning against it for support. Soaked through with rain and mud, heaving breaths, and shivering. His eyes, the color of the lightning which lit the sky, met hers. His hair was stained from his own blood, and his clothes were also stained, but no wounds seemed to show on his body.

"Oh dear, we can't have you so unpresentable. Come with me," Yae sighed dramatically, "I'm sure I can find you something to wear."

By morning, the storm had passed. Most of the villagers were eager to return home, and this gave the priestesses time and space to clean up any mess on the grounds.

Yae was having a late breakfast with her guest. She studied him from behind her teacup. Blonde hair, pale skin, and a suspicious scar that traced his skin like a tight necklace. He sat casually with one leg out and the other folded under himself, but otherwise he had good table manners. Once he had finished his meal, he decided to speak. His voice was a gentle baritone.

"Thank you for your generosity in sheltering me, allowing me to bathe, and sharing your food with me. I think if you hadn't, I might have simply expired from exhaustion." he smiled playfully.

Yae chuckled softly, "can't have that, now can we? You've already endured such difficulties, perhaps some kindness is just what the doctor ordered."

"Lady priestess, if you don't mind me speaking candidly…?" he questioned carefully.

"I prefer it, in fact." Yae replied.

"Why help me, when one of the people you love the most is the one who… who killed me?"

"What happened between you and Ei is between you and Ei," Yae shook her head, "I am loyal to the shogun. Given that you possess the Gnosis, I suppose that means I am loyal to you, doesn't it? Though I will admit, I hope you give mercy to her, whatever that ends up meaning."

"Mercy?" he mumbled, as though questioning it himself, "well, I don't intend to end her life. She's grown accustomed to life at the castle, so it would be too disruptive to, for instance, have her removed from it."

"Then what shall her role be?" Yae asked, "the people expect the one who possesses the Gnosis to lead them. So it can no longer be Ei. You'd best decide before you arrive, lest the people worry that you're indecisive."

"I'll think of something, but it will have to wait a bit longer. Tell me, what became of the rebels in the last couple of years?"

"A peace treaty was written. Those who survived now live on, pardoned for their parts in the war."

"how fortunate for them," He rubbed part of the scar on his neck, thinking about that night… Yae's voice distracted him quickly.

"Well, I do believe your time here has come to an end," Yae smiled, "you have places to be and people to meet. Do you need anything for your journey?"

"Ah, no, thank you," he shook his head, "my blade may be rusted from time and the elements, but it'll do for now."

Yae saw him off, and he spent a good amount of that day in transit. His walk from the shrine to the city took him until evening.

When he approached the castle walls, the guards from the Tenryo commission blocked his way.

"The shogun is having no visitors at this time. Please leave." the guard barked.

"I think she will want to make an exception. Tell her that Tomo is here."

Though unconvinced, one of the guards left his post and went inside.

"Lady Shogun, there is a man who insists you would want to meet with him. He says he is Tomo. What would you have us do?"

Ei had been seated, meditating. Upon hearing the name, she recalled the duel between Kujou Sara and the blonde man… a duel he lost, and humbly bowed his head to Musou no Hitotachi. This memory was technically the puppet's, but Ei could access it as though it were her own. She remembered the heartbroken cry from a member of the crowd, who dashed forward to steal the vision before it could be inlaid upon the statue. She also remembered hearing the next day that the corpse had been stolen at some point during the night.

Ei stood up urgently, "let him in."

The guard, though surprised, quickly returned to the doors to see Tomo in.

Tomo strolled into the throne room, casually taking in the sights.

"Not much changes in Inazuma, I suppose." he said playfully, "though I must admit, that look on your face certainly isn't what I expected. For my entire life, I recall Lady Shogun being so emotionally distant from her people. Noone ever saw her look worried like this before."

"The fact that you stand before me means that Celestia has sent you here. Given that it has been a long time since I severed my ties to Celestia, I am certain this means you possess the Gnosis, and as such, the right to rule Inazuma." Ei spoke strongly, trying to hide her concern about the situation.

"That's about right." Tomo smiled gently.

"Does this mean you've come to avenge yourself?" Ei asked.

"No, nothing like that." Tomo chuckled, "I had a lot of time to think on my way here. I decided that I've already forgiven you for executing me."

"So, what do you intend, Lord Shogun?" Ei looked a bit concerned.

"I don't know the first thing about leading a country," he casually shrugged, "but you have many years of experience. I'd like you to stay as my advisor. You may still live in the castle and come and go as you please. Perhaps for a while, you'll continue to act as the head of state while we each adjust to our new circumstances."

"I see, in that case, I will assist you in being introduced to the public when the time is right… and to the other archons." Ei seemed confident.

"I have to meet the other archons?"

"Every time an archon retires and a new archon takes their place, the Archon Contract must be renewed to include your name. As such you'll need to meet them to participate. It doesn't have to be immediate, but preferably very soon."

"I understand. In that case, for my first act as Archon…"


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